On Friday, May 6, 2022, a sheen in a ditch and a strong odor were reported in the community of Rolla, approximately 22km northeast of Dawson Creek.
The BC Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change Strategy (MOE) contacted the Peace River Regional District on Saturday, May 7, asking to help inform residents in Rolla to avoid the area until response and mitigation work have concluded, and for residents living nearest to the spill site to shelter in place if odors intensify. The PRRD posted this information to its social media platforms and issued an advisory to residents using the North East BC Emergency Alerts system that afternoon.
The PRRD has not received any updates from the Province since the afternoon of May 7, and the Province has not provided an official update on its Spill Incidents webpage since that time. As per the information listed on the Province’s website, the source of the spill is listed as ‘Unknown’ and the spilled content is listed as a ‘Hydrocarbon’.
An Environmental Emergency Response Officer (EERO) from the MOE has been onsite investigating the cause. The Province has advised that they have retained Oakridge Environmental to assist with spill response efforts and that there is no threat to public safety at this time.
The PRRD will continue to provide updates from the Province as they become available. The Regional District encourages all residents to sign up for North East BC Emergency Alerts at nebcalerts.com or to download the Everbridge app in the Apple or Google Play stores.
Spill Site in Rolla, BC provided by The BC Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change Strategy
